April 2, 2007 (Minneapolis, Min.) – The Nature Valley Grand Prix, Minnesota’s five day pro cycling event, today announces the addition of Wheaties to the roster of 2007 sponsors. One of the most easily recognized names in US’ sports, the Breakfast of Champions will focus attention on three new initiatives to help give Minnesotans a real taste for the excitement of pro cycling.

Helping everyone from avid racing enthusiasts to interested weekend family riders understand more about the race and its participants, Wheaties unveils the Wheaties Fan Zone. A new online tool, the Wheaties Fan Zone will become this year’s portal for all fan information on the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Visitors to the Fan Zone can expect to see information that will help them identify and understand the personalities of the teams involved in this year’s race, listen to pod cast interviews with teams and managers and download race information.

“In pro cycling racing, there’s so much that you just don’t notice,” says David LaPorte, director for the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival, of which the race is a big part. “Riders come round the corners inches apart at 40 miles an hour and whoosh by. That’s exciting, but we also want anyone interested enough to watch to understand more about the teams, their riders, and who to watch for. This year’s race includes some close rivalries.”

The Wheaties Fan Zone will also help bicycle racing enthusiasts to build a deeper affinity with their sport and allow fans to follow the often subtle team tactics and strategies and will give them opportunities for connect with the teams of racing professionals who participate in this race.

Wheaties will also be creating a new kind of fan experience at this year’s race, giving spectators the chance to test their athletic abilities against those of the professionals. The Wheaties Pro Sprints and Wheaties Cyber Sprints, are sponsored sprints during each stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix as the professionals go head-to-head in competition for the coveted leader’s jersey. After each stage, the Wheaties Pro Sprints leaders will set benchmark times on Kurt Kinetic stationary trainers at the specially created Wheaties Cyber Sprints booth. Spectators will have the opportunity to test themselves against these pro benchmarks, and against each other, on the Kurt Kinetic trainers at every Festival expo.

“The Wheaties Fan Zone and the Nature Valley Grand Prix are an excellent fit for our brand and 100% whole grain product”, said Wheaties’ Dan Stangler. “This Nature Valley Grand Prix is an exciting opportunity for Wheaties to connect its powerful championship equity with the cycling professionals as well as the general cycling public through the Fan Zone.”

Race attendees should look out for the newly created Wheaties Ambassadors, local on-the-street experts who will provide personal commentary and answer fans’ questions at each stage of the race.

“Our number one goal is to enhance the spectator experience”, said Great River Energy Bicycle Festival director David LaPorte. “Emotional involvement is the hallmark of all successful sports and the Wheaties Fan Zone will be go a long way to making that happen.”

The Nature Valley Grand Prix is ranked at the top of the US National Racing Calendar. It will take place on June 20 — 24 in the downtowns of St. Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Mankato and Stillwater. These races attract top professionals from around the world. Last year’s winners were World Champion Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton) and HealthNet’s Karl Menzies, who finished 2nd in the 2006 NRC.

About the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival (and Nature Valley Grand Prix)
The Nature Valley Grand Prix is part of the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival, a five-day celebration of bicycling and the bicycle culture in Minnesota. The 2007 events will take place on June 20 – 24 in Saint Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Mankato and Stillwater. In addition to the Nature Valley Grand Prix professional stage race, the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival includes amateur racing, kids’ fun races, family activities, live music, stunt rider demonstrations, great food and lifestyle expos.

Proceeds from the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival benefit programs at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, the largest children’s health care organization in the upper Midwest. These donations increase the quality of life for children and their families by helping to provide services that would not normally be covered by insurance. Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota has been the Festival’s charitable partner since 2003.

About Great River Energy
Great River Energy is a non-profit electric cooperative providing wholesale electric energy and related services to 28 distribution cooperatives serving nearly 1.5 million people in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Headquartered in Elk River, MN, Great River Energy is the second largest utility in Minnesota and the fifth largest utility of its type in the country.

About Nature Valley
Nature Valley, the brand that created the granola bar category in 1975, brings variety to healthy, active consumers looking for wholesome and great-tasting snacks. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Nature Valley is part of General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products.

About Wheaties
Launched in 1924, Wheaties is the No. 1 whole-grain wheat flaked breakfast cereal in the country. The brand began its association with sports in the mid-1930s with a sign on the left field wall at Nicollet Park near downtown Minneapolis. General Mills’ broadcast deal with the minor league Minneapolis Millers on WCCO Radio included the large signboard that Wheaties would use to introduce its new ad slogan: “Wheaties””The Breakfast of Champions.” From that rather humble beginning, Wheaties has built a heritage that includes many of the greatest athletes of all time. Learn more at www.wheaties.com.

About USA Cycling
USA Cycling is the national governing body of the sport of bicycle racing, and lists the Nature Valley Grand Prix among the country’s top three stage races on its National Racing Calendar.